Another
10 Questions have been asked of a South African you may not have heard of yet, but should look out for. This week, Dynamic Arts Practioner
Georgina Thomson is in the spotlight...
10 Questions for Georgina Thomson
- What place (in SA) do you call home, and why?
Johannesburg: because it is changing all the time, is exciting and vibrant and keeps up with the world.
- Favourite place to have breakfast near(ish) where you live?
The Woolworths coffee shop in Melville.
- Tell us about a day in the life of Georgina Thomson.
It’s busy!!! Subject to the time of the year, my days include writing proposals and fundraising, organizing workshops, preparing and running events such as the Dance Umbrella, training people in Arts Administration, planning all festival events and also overseeing publicity and marketing for our projects.
- Tell us a little about Dance Forum and why you got involved with this project.
The Dance Forum was created by me when Vita Promotions (The organization that used to manage the Dance Umbrella and other arts projects) closed down. I was offered the Dance Umbrella project so when I accepted it, created Dance Forum. It is a Section 21 Company which aside from the festival runs a space called Dance Space where we host on-going dance workshops, arts admin training etc.
- What inspires you (in your work, every day, in life)?
When I was about 6 years old, I saw a photo of a dancer and knew that this was what I wanted to do. I’ve done it all my life: danced and worked with dance. I also love reading and art and music… there are some that also inspire me. Life is art!!
- Do you think Dance has a message for everyone – even people who don’t consider themselves interested in arts and culture?
Contemporary dance definitely has a message for anyone because it can be presented and interpreted in any way either the artist or audience member wants to.
- Who is your South African dance hero, and why?
Robyn Orlin: Since the 1980’s Robyn has presented “On The Edge” work. She challenges everyone and keeps on challenging her audience with new and inspiring work.
- Tell us, briefly, about your best ever South African holiday or travelling experience.
The Transkei is for me one of the most beautiful parts in our country. It is wild and free and extremely beautiful.
- If you’ve travelled outside of our borders, what did you miss about SA?
If not where would you like to travel to? I miss the bigness of South Africa and the general sense of vibrancy and life which is not always felt in other countries.
- What one piece of advice would you give a young South African who is passionate about dance and wants to have a career in dance?
Work hard and train well. The dance world is a hard place and if you can meet all the challenges that a dancer meets, you will be OK… but train and keep up with the trends.
Dance images: Axel Bührmann. Creative commons license
